Neural tube formation by primary neurulation

Neural tube formation by primary neurulation.

The neural plate (NP) is a portion of the dorsal ectoderm that is specified to become the neural ectoderm. It forms the neural tube (NT) in a process called neurulation. The image delineates the main stages of primary neurulation, the prevailing type of neurulation in mammals (the right panel indicates the location along a rostro-caudal embyonic axis, of the corresponding image in the left panel):

A. The NP is a plain surface distinguished by the appearance of columnar cells. NP formation is the first step of neurulation. The NP border constitutes the origin of the neural crest cells.  The notochord resides beneath the midline of the NP, and is a source of signals that are involved in the neurulation process.

B. The medial hinge point (MHP) cells reside in the midline of the NP, just above the notochord, and undergo morphological changes that drive a process of NP bending at the midline and elevation of the neural folds.

C. Cells located at the lateral edges of the neural plate also undergo morphological changes and become the dorsolateral hinge point (DLHP) cells, over which the curved neural plate bends again.

D. The tips of the neural folds fuse and forming a closed, hollow neural tube. The closed cylinder separates from the surface ectoderm and the neural crest cells migrate away. 

Abbreviations: MHP, Medial Hinge Point; DLHP, Dorsolateral Hinge Point.